If I were the queen of electricity regulation, I would impose the followingregulation on the electricity provider for Belize:

--A fine each time there's an electrical power outage of greater than 15minutes that cannot be dealt with by redundant electrical systems that pickup when one source of power is cut-off AND that cannot be attributed to:--Force majeure (Act of God such as hurricane, storm, etc.)--Act of sabotage by a party completely unconnected with theelectricity provider--A release of the consumer from payment of the equivalent of 24 hour'selectrical usage each time a power outage exceeds 2 hours in the aggregate,in any 24 hour period.--Huge fines for failure of the electric company to timely extend electricalpower according to an approved plan to communities that do not haveelectrical power.--A requirement that the utility purchase power at reasonable rates that isproduced by private parties through alternative energy sources such as solarand wind generated power.--A requirement that the utility offer low-interest loans to consumer topurchase and install power-saving appliances, light bulbs, etc.--Heavy fines for failure to perform reasonable and ordinary maintenance ofthe electrical system, such as inspection and maintenance of power poleinstallations that are foreseeably corroded by salt air, resulting in damageto electrical equipment owned by consumers and businesses, and down time foremployees and machinery.

The utility's compliance with these regulations would be assessed by theregulator in its reasonable discretion.

BEL has a monopoly granted by the State. The reason for a grant of amonopoly by the State to a utility company is to allow the utility to chargesomewhat higher rates than market rates in return for the utility extendingservice to areas that would otherwise not be profitable to serve, and tomake upgrades to the system that might not otherwise be economicallyreasonable.

BEL is doing none of these things. Instead, it is reaping obscene profits.Why???????? (Gosh, do you think it could be . . . nah . . .)

Can you believe another power outage this morning! Can someone explain to me what is going on?! I thought we were supposed to have improved service with cheaper rates once the damn was working???? Might as well tear that bloody thing down.